Machine for digging and cleaning ditches



Dec. 3, 1940. R. s. BYRNES MACHINE FOR DIGGING AND CLEANING DITCHES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 11, 1959 for .5. 317mm;

Dec. 3, 1940. R. s. BYRNES MACHINE FOR DIGGING AND CLEANING BITCHES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 11, 1939 Roy 6. 317mm? machine. I c t l t V f A further object of the invention is to pror Patented Dec. 3, 194() MACHINE FOR, DIGGI I DITCH NEGjAND CLEANING s I a Roy S. Byrnes, Hardin; Mont; f 7 Application August 11, 1939, Ste-amt. 289,683" I 6 Claims; (01. 37 98) This invention relates to ditchingmachines and more particularly to a machine for digging :and cleaning ditches used for irrigation purposes. I

The object of the invention is toprovide a ditching machine of simple and durable construc: tion, by means of which irrigating ditches that have become filled, or partially filled with dirt, weeds and other growing vegetation may be thoroughly cleaned or deepened and the soil banked on opposite sides of the ditch to reinforce the walls thereof at one operation of the machine and without danger of clogging or otherwise interfering with the proper functioning of said vide a combined digging andcleaning machine comprising a longitudinally disposed runnerv having a frame pivotallymounted thereon and pro: vided with a terminal plow share and diverging cutting blades, said frame being adjustable at different angles with respect to therunner to vary the depth of penetration of the plow share into the soil. I

A further object is to provide means for as ing and lowering the frame and means for holding said frame in any desired position of ad justment. I

Astillfurther object of the invention is gen erallyto improve this class of devices so as: to increasetheir utility, durability and efficiency. Inthe accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings:

Figure 1 is-a side elevation of a V I ditching and cleaning machine embodying the; present invention, I.

Figure 2 is a top plan view, f r v Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in'section, showing the manner of vertically with respect to therunner,

Figure 4 is a detail perspective View of the rack, bar for holding the pivoted frame in adjusted position, and I r I Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the rear portion of parts. 4

The combined ditching and cleaning machine forming the subject-matter ofthe present invention comprises a longitudinally disposed runner 5 to whichis pivotally connected, at 6, a substantially triangular shaped frame I. The

said frame are bent laterally "to form cutting combined v adjusting the frame the pivoted frame and its associated edges 8 for removing weeds and other growing vegetation 111x81 ditch as the machine is drawn, over the soil at the bottom 'of said ditch. Mounted at the forward end of the frame "I is an earth-engaging element preferably in the form of, a plow share 9, the point of which is adapted to enter the soil for the purpose of digging a ditch or deepening said ditch. Secured to the side walls of the frame in spaced relation to the plow share 9 are spaced-uprights II, and fitting between said uprights and secured thereto by bolts orsimilar fastening devices I2 is a beam I3 having its forward end provided with a clevis or hitch I4 for attachment to a draft animal, tractor ,orother sourceof power.

S ecured to the rear end of the beam I3 are upper and lower transverse bars I5 and I6, the oppositeends of the upper bar I5 being bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to inwardly extending flanges III of the side wallsof the framel, while I the opposite ends of the lower bar I6 rest on inclined brackets or flanges I 8 projecting inwardly. from the side walls of the triangular frame, as shown. 1 Secured to the lower bar- I 6 are strap irons I9 having their forward ends spaced from theadjacent edge of the bar IB to form terminal eyes 2p in which is pivotally mounted for swingspaced stops 23 which engagethe opposite faces of therack qbar 2I and serve to prevent lateral movement of the loop with respect to I said rack bar. lPivotally mountedtat 24 on one end of the rack bar 2L is a locking member or bar 25 which serves-to hold the closedend of the loop 2| within a selected notch 22' of the rack bar. The

free end of the locking bar 25 is provided with an opening' 26 which registers with av corresponding opening ZfIformed in'said rackjbar so as to permit "the insertion of a pin or other fastening device. for holding the rack bar in lowered or closedlpositioni J y As a means for manually raising and lowering the triangular supporting frame I, there areprovided upstanamgiqo'ps or handles 21 extending inwardly 1 from the side members of the frame at the rear of the transverse bars I 5 and I 6. The

handles Z'Iare offset withre'sp'ect to the diverg ing sida'wallsofftheframe I and are secured adapted to engage the rack bar for-holding the thereto by downwardly inclined braces 28. The pivot pin 6 extends transversely of the triangular frame in spaced relation to the plow share 9 and the forward end of the runner is provided with spaced strap irons 29 terminating in a perforated lug 30 adapted to receive the pivot pin 6, as best shown in Figure 3.

Mounted onthe front end of the machine is a colter 3! preferably formed from a flat bar of metal having its forward vertical edge sharpened at 32 and its upper end forked at 33 to receive the beam 53 and to which it is rigidly secured by bolts or similar fastening devices 34. The lower end of the bar is'provided with a threaded terminal 35 which extends through an opening in the plow share for engagement witha suitable ,clamping nut. The fiat metal barnot only acts as a colter but also-as a vertical brace between the lower portion of the plow share and the plow beam.

When cleaning and deepening a ditch, the triangular supporting frame 1 is adjusted at the proper angle with respect to the runner by'i-nlsert- 7 ing the closed end of the loop 2| in a selected notch in'the rack bar 22 and holding the loop against displacement by means of the locking bar25. As the machine is drawn over the bottom of the ditch, the plow share '9 will dig into the soil while the cutting edges 8 of the triangular frame will cut and effectuallyremove weeds and other growing vegetation in the ditch and at the same time the diverging side Walls of the'fra'me will force the soil laterally so as to form a bank or dike on each'side of the ditch and prevent the loss of water from the ditch when said ditch is used for irrigation purposes, as will be readily understood. If it is desired to dig a new ditch or to materially deepen an old ditch, the loop Z5 is moved into engagement with one" of the forward notches of the rack bar and in which positionthe frame 1 will be supported at asharp angleto the runner'so as to cause the plow share 9 to penetrate the soil to *the desired depth, as shown inFigure 3 of the drawings 'By-adj-u'sting the loop 21 longitudinally of therack bar the depth of penetration of the paw-snare 2| may be regulated at will according to the nature of the work to be performed. It will thus be seen thatthere is provided 'a durable and thoroughly practical machine which will simultaneously cut and remove weeds and growing vegetation man irrigation ditch and bank the soilfonthe'opposite sides of the ditch, thereby materially decreasing the time necessary to performs'uch work and g consequently "effecting a material savingin the cost" ofisaid work.

ItwilL-of course, be understood that-the machines may be madein different sizes and shapes and constructed of anysuitable material'wlthout departing fromthe spirit of the'invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claifmedas new is:

'l. Amachineof the class described comprising a longitudinallydisposed runner, a substantially triangularshaped frame pivotally connected with the runner and having its diverging side walls prov'idedwithcutting edges, a plow share secured to the apex of the frame, a draft beam secured to said frame, arack bar mounted on the runner, and "a yoke pivotally mounted on the frame and frame indifferent positions of adjustmentjwith respect to the runner. "1 a V 12, Amachine of the'clas's describedflco'mprising a longitudinally disposed runner, a "substantially triangular shaped frame pivotally mounted on the forward end of the runner, a earth-engaging device secured to the apex of the frame, a draft mounted on one of the transverse bars, a rack bar secured to the runner and adapted to receive the closed end of the yoke, and a locking bar carried by the rack bar for holding the yoke in engagement with said rack bar.

T3. A machine of the class described comprising a longitudinally disposedrunner, a substantially triangular shaped frame pivotally mounted for tilting movement on the forward end of the runner, said frame being provided with lateral cutting edges, and a terminal earth-engaging device, a draft beam secured to the frame, spaced transverse bars secured to the upper and lower faces of the draft beam at the rear end thereof and secured to saidframe, eyes mounted on one of the transverse bars, a loop pivotally mounted in the eyes, a bar secured tothe runner and provided with spaced notches adapted to receive the loop, stops carried by thefree end 'of the loop for engagement with opposite side faces of the notched'bar on'the runner, and a locking device mounted on the notched bar for holding the loop in a' selected notch on said bar. I

4. A machine of the class described comprising a longitudinally disposed runner, a substantially triangular shaped frame pivotally connected with the forward end of the runner and provided with lateral cutting edges, a plow share mounted on the apex of the frame, spaced uprights extending vertically from the frame, a draft bar fitted betweenfsaid uprights and rigidly secured thereto, spaced transverse bars carried by the rear'end of the draft bear'n'and engaging the-frame, a rack bar mounted on'the runner, a loop pivotally justment with respect to the runner, and up standing hand loops secured to the rear'end of the frame for raising and lowering the latter.

5. Amachine of the class describedcoinprising a substantially triangular shaped frame having the lower edges of its diverging side wa'llsextended laterally to form cutting edgesga plow sharesecured to th'e-apex'of the "frame, a pivot pin connecting the-diverging walls of the frame and arranged back of ithe plow share, a longie tudinally disposed runner, a strap iron secured to the forward end of the runner'and provided with a perforated lug adapted to receive the pivot pin, inclined supporting flanges secured 'to the inner faces of the -diverging side walls of the frame, an upper transverse ,bar secured to the re'ar'end ofjthe draft beam;and-secured to the top of, the frame-a lower transverse'bar secured to said draft beam andresting on the inclined fiangesfstrapiirons secured to said lower transverse bar and'provid'edwith terminal eyes, a rack bar mounted on the runner, a loop pivotally mounted in said eyesjand adapted toengage'the rack bar for holding theframe indifferent positions of adjustment with respect to the runner, means for locking the loop in engagement with the rack barg'andhand loops secured tothe inner "6. A machineof the class described comprising I a substantially triangular shaped frame formed of angle iron, the upper edges of the side walls of the frame being provided with inwardly extending flanges and the lower longitudinal edge thereof bent laterally to form cutting edges, an earth-engaging device secured to the apex of the frame, a pivot pin extending transversely of the frame immediately in'the rear of the earthengaging device, a longitudinally disposed runner pivotally mounted on said pin, a draft beam, an upper transverse bar secured to the rear end of the draft beam and the inwardly extending flanges of the frame respectively, supporting flanges projecting inwardly of the frame, a lower transverse bar resting on the supporting flanges, a rack bar carried by the runner and provided with an opening, a loop pivotally mounted on the lower transverse bar and adapted to engage the rack bar, said loop being provided with spaced stops for centering the loop on the rack bar, a locking bar pivotally mounted on one end of the rack bar and provided with an opening adapted to register with the opening in the rack bar to permit the insertion of a fastening device, and hand loops mounted on the rear end of the frame and provided with inclined braces secured to said frame.

ROY S. BYRNES. 

